Man sentenced for assault at petrol station in Burgess Hill

A man who assaulted a petrol station worker and threw hot coffee over him has been jailed.

Muhammad Saeed entered the Shell petrol station in London Road, Burgess Hill.

He ignored a request not to eat cookies and drink coffee on the premises and made comments to the victim.

Saeed threw a cup of hot coffee over the victim, then assaulted him.

At Lewes Crown Court on 10 August, Saeed was jailed for two years and four months after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm and theft.

The court was told how Saaed, 20, of Tennyson Close, Crawley, entered the petrol station at about 10pm on 15 December last year.

After an argument about eating cookies and drinking coffee at the counter, he was asked to leave but refused.
The shop worker was assaulted with the coffee and Saaed also further assaulted him by punching and kicking.

He was left feeling anxious and fearful of other customers while at work.

Speaking after the case Detective Constable Annabel Turner said: “Saaed carried out a shocking assault on a retail worker.

“It followed an argument where the defendant was being deliberately obstructive, refusing to stop eating and drinking at the counter where he had spilled coffee.

“Despite the shop worker’s reasonable request for Saeed to take his items and leave the shop, Saeed instead launched the hostile assault by throwing hot coffee over the victim, then further assaulted him inside the shop.

“He stole a new coffee from the machine and left without paying for it.

“The incident has had an ongoing impact on the victim, who should not have to fear being assaulted while at work.

“We identified the suspect from CCTV images and Saeed was arrested. He is now serving a custodial sentence.”